Heavy downpour kills nine in Balochistan

FC Balochistan rescued six people picnicking near the river in Bolan

QUETTA: Authorities declared emergency in Balochistan on Monday after torrential rains and flash flooding wreaked havoc in the province and killed at least nine people, including a child.

Heavy rainfall in Quetta, Gwadar, Chagai, Harnai, Duki, Jewani, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Sibi, Barkhan, Chaman and other districts of Balochistan caused flooding in nullahs and drains which severed land link in various parts of the province.

The low-lying areas had been submerged due to continuous rainfall in Kohlu and adjoining areas.

The rainwater caused flooding in Nari, Bolan and Lehri rivers and several nullahs in Sibi. According to sources, river Nari is currently flowing low at 29,000 cusecs of water, while the water flow at river Lehri has been recorded at 6,600 cusecs and river Bolan at 3,000 cusecs, an official of the provincial irrigation department said.

District administration along with FC Balochistan rescued six people who had gone to Bolan for picnic after flash floods hit the area.

“Balochistan government and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have clearly directed all deputy commissioners to keep a vigilant eye on the situation, while we have warned public against going on picnics or undertaking unnecessary travel across the province following incessant rains,” PDMA DG Balochistan Imran Zarkoon said.

Cold weather has returned in Quetta as Met office has forecast more rain during the next 24 hours. Dozens of feeders tripped in the provincial capital causing 8 to 10 hours electricity breakdown while gas pressure also turned low.

Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Gulistan, Jangal Pir Alizai and Dobandi have also received heavy rains during the last four days. The low-lying areas also submerged in rainwater.

The rainfall also damaged the standing wheat crop in several areas including Jaffarabad, Dera Allahyar and Usta Mohammad.

According to Meteorological Office, widespread thundershower accompanied by strong gusty winds is expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat divisions), upper Punjab (Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions), Islamabad, erstwhile FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir with isolated hailstorm.

Dry weather is expected in Sindh and Balochistan during the next 24 hours.